
The Minneapolis City Council has passed a controversial proposal to create of a Labor Standards Board. It comes after some contentious debate and many amendments. The Council voted 9-3 in favor of the proposale. The board would oversee things like wages, benefits and worker safety in the city.
Many Minneapolis business owners opposed the measure, saying it's an overreach. So did Councilmember Michael Rainville, saying it's the last thing a city still facing plenty of post-pandemic challenges needs.
"What this is going to do is send a message to the investment community that Minneapolis is adding yet another layer, another reason to not come here and invest money," Rainville says.
But Councilmember Katie Cashman voted for the measure.
"And as this proposal came together, it became clear to me that this was an opportunity for us to come together and drive meaningful change with employers and workers," explained Cashman.
Thursday's meeting also devolved into personal attacks, with Councilmember Latrisha Vetaw accusing President Elliot Payne of allowing others members to treat Black women on the council poorly.
At one point, City Clerk Casey Karl actually had to issue a call for civility in the meeting.
A coalition of Minneapolis union workers is cheering the passage.
"To the business community, we all want to see a revitalized downtown, one that is vibrant, full of life and works for everyone," said Estella who spoke through an interpreter. "I am confident that together we can make this happen. And to the mayor, I ask that you think this through and you make the correct decision."
Mayor Jacob Frey says while he's in favor of the concept, the current proposal by the council is "unbalanced."
In a statement, a spokesman for the mayor's office says Mayor Frey has been clear and consistent in his support for a Labor Standards Board that is balanced and fair, but the Council’s proposal was never that. He says Mayor Frey will be meeting with stakeholders from both the business and labor communities over the coming days to determine next steps.
Minneapolis Downtown Council CEO Adam Duininck speaking with WCCO's Jason DeRusha says businesses are rightly concerned.
"They feel like they've done a lot to help get the economy going and get downtown back, doing strong and investing in the city, trying to run their businesses," Duininck explains. "And this is just one more thing. Now, they have to be concerned about overreach and interference with how they run their business. But, even how this policy has been put together and rolled out, it begs some questions. For more engagement, trying to understand the impacts of it to businesses."